Happy New Year

Wishing you have a safe celebration welcoming 2012.

Join us at 10am January 1 for mass celebrating the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus Christ. Occurring on the eighth day of Christmas, the feast commemorates Jesus' circumcision. While the feast is not among the higher profile ones in the church year, the circumcision of Jesus inspires among the best-loved words in the Book of Common Prayer, the Song of Simeon.

Seeing Joseph and Mary bring Jesus into the temple, Simeon, who had been promised he would not die before seeing the messiah, "took him into his arms and praised God, saying, 'Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.'" (Luke 2:28-32)

A Thank You Message from the Priest in Charge

Thanks to all who emptied out their pockets and found their checkbooks to replenish the Discretionary fund. As a result, crises were avoided and empty refrigerators were filled. The mandate—feed my people and care for the distressed—was profoundly addressed. Peace, to your concerned hearts.  

To Paul Greatbatch, who has brought his amazing ability to produce beauty on the Web and the printed page, who has quietly ordered the administrative work of the parish and offered his talents and concerns many times—thank you. You will be missed. And each time we encounter the need to find creative approaches to issues and to presentations appropriate to this place, we will remember with gratitude your time here.

To all who were involved in creating two very meaningful services to honor the birth of Jesus, those who attended those offerings and participated in the joy of those occasions, those who made sure all shut-ins and others who came to our doors in need were served, those who gave food for the weary in so many ways—soul and body—thank you for extending your time and talents. 

 

See you Sunday as we celebrate the power of the name—His and ours.  

Peace,

Tanya+

Indianapolis Men's Chorus Pictures

The Indianapolis Men's Chorus played to an overflowing crowd in our beautiful acoustic space on Sunday, December 18! Thanks to Tim Jensen for the photos.

Upcoming Services and Events

CHRISTMAS EVE

Saturday, December 24 

Bach Prelude, 10:30 PM

Midnight Mass, 11:00 PM

CHRISTMAS DAY

Sunday, December 25 

Low Mass with Carols, 10:00AM

THE FEAST OF THE HOLY NAME

Sunday January 1

Solemn Mass, 10:00AM

THE EPIPHANY

Friday, January 6 

Solemn Mass, 6:30PM

Light Supper to Follow

BISHOP'S VISITATION and FORUM

Sunday, January 8

Solemn Mass with Baptism, 10:00AM

ANNUAL MEETING

Sunday, January 29

Parish Hall, 11:30 AM

From the Priest-in-Charge

HOPE

The kind of hope I often think about is, I believe, a state of mind, not a state of the world. Either we have hope within us or we don't. Hope is not a prognostication—it's an orientation of the spirit. Each of us must find real, fundamental hope within himself. You can't delegate that to anyone else. Hope in this deep and powerful sense is not the same as joy when things are going well, headed for early success, but rather an ability to work for something to succeed. Hope is definitely not the same thing as optimism. It's not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out. It is this hope, above all, that gives us strength to live and to continually try new things, even in conditions that seem as hopeless as ours do, here and now. In the face of this absurdity, life is too precious a thing to permit its devaluation by living pointlessly, emptily, without meaning, without love, and finally, without hope.

—Vaclov Havel

God reveals as never before in such particularity as the one on our side! God with us. Not before or behind us. Not hovering around or even supporting us underneath. God with us is the human face of the divine, living in earthly years. Most of all, God reveals the power now available in all of us. Vaclov Havel, the author of this piece on hope, died this week right before Christmas. In my life, Havel was a contemporary incarnation of “hope.” In the midst of turmoil and conflict, internment and revolution, he gathered people together underground, built hope in those small groups, created a critical mass and rose up against the evil force. He saved a country, and lived to teach and write to help others do the same thing. I am eternally grateful for the words he spoke when he said “hope is an orientation of the spirit.” It is a phrase I have repeated to myself many times. With the birth of Jesus, the ancient world learned that in the midst of pagan influences and Gods who ruled but never included the human form, there was a power that celebrated the uniqueness of each person as the human reflection of the Creator. It’s time to give thanks for the Mother of Jesus who risked ridicule to live to Her belief, to Jesus and to the Vaclov Havels of our day – the bearers of hope!

Tanya V. Beck

All Saints Walks to End Homelessness

Last night members of All Saints participated in the annual Homeward Bound walk to raise awareness and funds to end homelessness in Indianapolis. The walk was on a rainy December night, and helped remind walkers of the conditions homeless residents of our city face every day. Team All Saints raised $310, which will be divided evenly between the Dayspring Center, a shelter for homeless families with children, and Horizon House, a day center that connects our homeless neighbors with services (as well as clean socks -- don't forget to leave new sock donations in the back of the church).

A big thank you to our walkers -- Lance Ratliff, Patricia Griffin, Tricia Clark and her grandsons -- and to Mary-Elise Haug for organizing the team.